"The Oregonian's Handbook of the Pacific Northwest." Portland, OR: Oregonian
Publishing Co., 1894. pg. 444.
J. F. LEGHORN
The finances of Spokane have been ably and economically administered as is
evidenced by the low tax rate here in 10 mills. The total bonded indebtedness
of the city is $1,200,000. In the building of a great city in less than six
years large civic expenses were necessarily incurred. Of the city's
indebtedness $500,000 was for a water-works system and $750,000 was used in
building bridges and other public improvements. The taxable wealth of Spokane
well justified this expenditure. According to the assessment roll of 1893 the
assessment valuation of property in Spokane was $28, 776, 083. To this should
be added $1,110,390, the assessed valuation of property in additions to Spokane
lying outside of the municipal limits. These assessment figures were furnished
by county assessor, J. F. Leghorn. The election of this gentleman to a position
of honor and trust is an illustration of the possibilities for advancement in
the West of young men of ability and worth. Mr. Leghorn was born in 1868 in
Clonis, County Monaghan, Ireland. He finished his education at the royal
College of Surgeons, Dublin and then came to America, arriving at Portland in
1884. He there secured a position with a large tobacco firm and remained in its
employ until 1889. His business duties called him to Spokane where he
subsequently opened a wholesale tobacco house under the firm name of Leghorn
Bros. This business burned out in 1890, when he was appointed clerk of the
Probate Court. In November, 1892, he was elected assessor on the Republican
ticket by an overwhelming majority.
*******************
Submitted to the Washington Bios. Project in May 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.